Free Web NovelChapter 27: 27 | Hero Association Representative
The morning came faster than expected, pale light seeping through the windows and painting the room in shades of gray and gold. Dexter woke with a start, momentarily disoriented before remembering where he was and what lay ahead. After washing up, he quickly changed clothes and prepared to leave, his movements efficient despite the early hour.
6:00 AM.
Just as he reached for the door—
Knock. Knock.
The sound was unexpected, making Dexter paused, his hand hovering inches from the doorknob. His brows furrowed slightly. He hadn’t ordered room service. Who could possibly be here this early?
Curious, and with a slight sense, he walked toward the door and opened it.
The moment the door swung open— both of them froze.
Dexter’s eyes widened, stunned and the woman standing in the hallway had equally widened eyes, her hand still raised in the position of having just knocked.
"...Rachel?"
Dexter couldn’t believe she was herw right now.
It had been a day they saw each other last.
The woman blinked, her long black lashes fluttered, she was just as shocked as his. "Dexter?"
Then Rachel tilted her head, a habitual gesture he remembered well from the bar.
"What are you doing here?"
Dexter scratched his cheek awkwardly, feeling suddenly self-conscious about his appearance. "Well..." he began, searching for the right words. "This is where I’ve been staying ever since the monster outbreak destroyed our street."
Rachel frowned slightly, the expression pulling at features that were, if anything, even more beautiful than he remembered. "Oh. So you were affected too?"
Dexter nodded, "Yeah."
Then he looked at her curiously, taking in her professional attire, it suggested she wasn’t here by accident. "What about you? What are you doing here?"
Rachel smiled. "I’m the representative from the Hero Association assigned to handle matters regarding your damaged home..." She paused, as if choosing her next words carefully. "And... your situation."
Understanding flashed across Dexter’s face. The Hero told them they would send a representative in three days. So she’s the one they sent.
"Ah." He stepped aside, gesturing into the suit. "Come in."
Rachel nodded and stepped inside, and as she passed by him, Dexter found himself momentarily staring. She was still incredibly pretty. And the moment she passed by, a pleasant fragrance reached his nose. Vanilla. Mixed with jasmine.
Shaking away the thought with, Dexter closed the door behind him. "You want something to drink?"
Rachel nodded, already scanning the room. "A soft drink is fine."
Dexter walked toward the fridge and handed her a cold bottle, the condensation wetting his fingers. But the moment Rachel stepped fully into the living room, she froze.
Three women were present.
Mira sat in her wheelchair near the television, her amber hair cascading over her shoulders.
Lyra stood quietly nearby, glasses resting over her eyes, her expression carefully neutral as she assessed the newcomer.
Selene sat silently on the couch, staring blankly ahead.
Rachel blinked several times as though hadn’t comprehended what she was seeing.
She turned toward Dexter, her expression had become very strange.
"I thought..." She hesitated, as if unsure whether to voice what was on her mind. Then asked carefully— "...you were joking."
Dexter frowned, not following her train of thought. "About what?"
Rachel stared at the girls, then back at him. "You actually have three wives?"
Dexter shrugged, feeling suddenly uncomfortable under the combined attention of four women. "Well... I tried telling you."
At that exact moment, Mira slowly turned her head.
Ber suspicious gaze moved between both of them, then she narrowed her eyes, as her face darkened.
"...Do you two know each other?"
Rachel immediately straightened her posture, her professional demeanor snapping back into place.
"No." She caught herself, realizing how defensive that sounded.
She cleared her throat, then quickly corrected herself. "I mean... we met briefly before."
She extended a hand politely toward Mira, the gesture formal and businesslike. "Rachel. Representative from the Hero Association. I’m here to discuss matters regarding your current situation."
Mira stared at her for several seconds, her gaze unblinking.
Then slowly, a smirk spread across her face.
"No."
Rachel blinked, clearly not expecting that response. "No...?"
Mira rolled her eyes.
"It feels like something else."
Her eyes moved between Rachel and Dexter with the precision of a predator tracking prey.
Then she casually asked— "Did you two hook up?"
Dexter nearly choked out on his own spit.
Rachel’s face stiffened, a faint flush creeping up her neck that she quickly suppressed it.
Dexter immediately coughed awkwardly, trying to regain his composure. "What kind of question is that?"
Mira smirked wider, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Well?"
Dexter rolled his eyes, feeling a headache beginning to form behind his temples. "We’re married. Why would I sleep with someone else?"
Mira simply gave him a mocking smile, she clearly didn’t believe him but didn’t press the matter either.
She turned away without another word, ignoring then both.
The atmosphere immediately became awkward.
At the side Selene and Lyra had also shifted their attention. Unlike before, they weren’t ignoring the conversation. Instead— they were staring directly at Rachel.
Dexter noticed immediately. And to his surprise, it almost looked like they were trying to intimidate her.
Like they were marking their territory.
For some reason— that made him smile slightly, a warm feeling spreading through his chest despite the awkwardness of the situation.
Rachel quickly returned to business, clearly eager to move past the uncomfortable exchange.
She crossed one leg over the other and spoke professionally, her voice regaining its measured cadence. "The repairs on your house are nearly complete. By tomorrow, everything should be fully restored. You and your family can move back in."
Dexter nodded. "That’s good."
Rachel continued, her eyes focused on her tablet as she scrolled through information. "There’s also the matter regarding the sixteen beasts you killed during the outbreak. Their carcasses have been processed. The Nexus Points and compensation have already been calculated."
Dexter listened carefully, his interest piqued. Nexus Points were the currency of the hero world, used to purchase everything from weapons to techniques to rare materials and could be used for cultivation.
